Check book



March '28, 1939.

w. s. WHlTTLESEY CHECK BOOK Filed July 15, 1937 ORNEY Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHECK BOOK Application July 15, 1937, Serial No. 153,713

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a check book and more specifically to a recording check book.

In general, it is an object of the invention to provide a device of the character described, which 5 will efiiciently perform the purposes for which it is intended, which is simple and economical of construction, which can be expeditiously, conveniently and safely manipulated, and which can be readily and easily manufactured and assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a check book which may be, refilled with blank checks and which may be refilled with record sheets concerning the checks drawn and also deposits made; to provide such a book wherein each sheet records a large number of checks drawn, wherein each sheet may be taken out and put back as often as desired and wherein the blank checks are disposed flatly on one side of the check book and the record sheets are flatly disposed in superimposed relation on the other side of the check book; and to provide such a book which may be closed by a simple motion and about a single'axis and which, when similarly opened, exposes all elements, which are to be used, flatly positioned and ready for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a book of the character described, clamping and positioning means for holding the record sheets firmly against the book cover without slippage in such a manner that when the book is opened the sheets will be exposed to View in flat and useful condition.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claim.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which there is shown in perspective an article embodying one form of the invention, it being a check book in open position.

The present invention contemplates a check book combined with a record book. By a single motion it is opened and, once open, the checks and the record sheets are exposed, flat and ready for use. Each record sheet is large enough to receive many entries and each sheet may be removed or put back into the book, in its flat, exposed position.

In the drawing, l denotes a foundation or cover which, preferably, is stiff, to provide a good writing surface, and which can be folded 5 to form a front piece l2, a rear piece l4, and a back l6. Suitable means are provided for removably attaching a block l8 of blank checks 20 to one of these pieces. As shown, there is a pocket 22 on the inside of the rear piece, into 10 which pocket a holder 24, attached to the block, may be inserted. When the checks are used up,

a fresh block may be substituted. The block may be of the multiple type presenting several checks at once, or the small, single check type. It may lie flat against the rear piece without extending beyond the boundaries thereof, and preferably with the outer edges of the checks set back somewhat from the edge of the book.

Suitable means are also provided for removably positioning one or more listing sheets 26 to the other of the cover pieces. When the checks are placed against the rear piece, the sheets 26 may be against the inside of the front piece. The sheets may be smaller than the front piece and have indicia on them indicating the proper places for the entry of notations concerning the amounts, the dates, the payees, etc., of the various checks or deposits. .A column may be provided for recording deposits made into the account against which the checks are drawn. Posts 28 fixed to the front piece [2, or to clamping means afiixed thereto, may extend through openings 30 in the sheets. The posts and openings may be in any convenient position, along any edge, for example, of the sheets. They are shown as just inside that edge of the cover which is parallel with the back piece I6.

Clamping means comprising, for example, a spring clasp member 32 may be pivoted to seat over the pegs and hold the sheets firmly in place. The element 32 should preferably bear firmly against the sheets 26 when in clamping position, and should, in combination with the posts 28, hold the sheets firmly against the cover I2 so as to provide a good writing surface. Any suitable means for holding the element 32 in close contact with the sheets may be employed, such for example as spiral springs, flat springs, detents or other means alone or in combination. Pref- 50 erably, when the element 32 is in open position, it should be substantially upright to provide a back or resist for the insertion of sheets. The clamping element 32 is preferably of such Width as to fit easily into the space between the outer 5 edges of the check blanks 20 and the back [4 when the device is closed, so that a smooth, flat, closed book may be attained.

There need be no check stubs in connection with the block l8 of checks.

There may be similar indicia on each side of each sheet and there may be openings 34 along the edge of the sheets opposite to openings 30 so that, when a sheet is turned over, the openings 34 register with pegs 28.

When it is desired to use an article embodying the present invention, the cover is opened, assuming that it has been set aside in a folded condition. There is immediately exposed, and ready for use, the flat checks and the top listing sheet. The latter shows at a. glance the last checks drawn, the starting bank balance and the latest deposits. One or more checks may be drawn and the corresponding entries made on the listing sheet. When the check block is used up, another is substituted. When one side of the listing sheet is filled, the other side may, if desired, be used by turning the sheet over-or it may be taken out and filed, the accounting being carried forward on the next sheet. Where both sides of the sheet are to be used, it may be suitably perforated, as indicated, so that it may be reversed and held in the clip in operative position with either surface uppermost. The folder may be adapted, if desired, to hold a large supply of superimposed sheets. After the article has been used, a simple motion folds the faces together, leaving it closed until such time as it is further needed.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claim is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A check book comprising a cover comprising a front piece, a rear piece and a back, means associated with one of said pieces and adapted for detachably holding a block of checks within said check book, a listing sheet positioned against the inside of the other of said pieces, and clamping means associated with the said other piece a and adapted for releasably holding said listing sheet against the inside of said other piece, said clamping means being so positioned as to lie adjacent but not upon said check block when said book is closed.

WILLIS S. WHITTLESEY. 

